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Child Custody and Support
12 min read
July 1, 2025

What is the Connecticut child support guidelines worksheet?

Navigating a divorce is tough, and when children are involved, figuring out finances can feel overwhelming. One of the most common questions we hear is about child support. If you're feeling lost in a sea of forms and legal terms, you're not alone. The good news is that Connecticut has a structured process to make child support calculations more predictable and fair. The central tool in this process is the Connecticut child support guidelines worksheet.

In simple terms, the worksheet is a state-mandated form that calculates a baseline child support amount. Think of it as a detailed calculator that uses a specific formula—the Connecticut child support guidelines—to determine a parent's financial obligation. It takes both parents' incomes, certain deductions, and key child-rearing costs into account to arrive at a number that is presumed to be the correct amount of support.

While it might look intimidating at first, understanding this worksheet is a crucial step toward ensuring your children are financially secure and that the support arrangement is fair to everyone involved. This article will break down what the worksheet is, why it's so important, and how to approach it with confidence.

Understanding the Legal Foundation: The "Why" Behind the Worksheet

In Connecticut, the law is very clear: parents have a fundamental duty to support their children. The statute says that parents "shall maintain the child according to their respective abilities" (C.G.S. § 46b-84(a)). But how does the court determine what those "abilities" are in a fair and consistent way? That's where the Connecticut child support guidelines come in.

Connecticut uses an income shares model to calculate support. This is a fancy way of saying the state tries to estimate the amount of money the parents would have spent on their children if the family had remained intact. That total amount is then divided between the parents based on their proportional share of the combined family income. The worksheet is the tool that does this math.

The result of the worksheet calculation is called the "presumptive support amount." This is the amount the court will order unless it finds that applying the guidelines would be "inequitable or inappropriate" under the specific circumstances of the case (C.G.S. § 46b-86(a)). The worksheet isn't just a suggestion; it's a required part of the legal process.

Connecticut Law Requirements for the Child Support Worksheet

Filing the worksheet is not optional. The Connecticut Practice Book, which sets the rules for court procedures, is explicit. Practice Book § 25-30(e) states, "Whenever child support is an issue in a family matter, a completed Child-Support & Arrearage Guidelines Worksheet must be filed with the court at the time of any hearing or at the final trial."

This means that whether you and your co-parent have reached a full agreement or are heading to court to have a judge decide, you must complete and submit this form.

Here’s why this is so important:

  1. Transparency: The worksheet shows the judge exactly how the proposed child support number was calculated, ensuring all the required factors from the Connecticut child support guidelines were considered.
  2. Fairness and Consistency: It ensures that families in similar financial situations are treated similarly across the state, preventing wildly different outcomes from one courtroom to the next.
  3. Judicial Review: Even if you agree on a support amount, the judge must review the worksheet to confirm that your agreement is fair and in the child's best interest. The court has a duty to protect the child, and it uses the guidelines as the benchmark for what is appropriate.

If you and your co-parent agree to a support amount that is different from the worksheet's presumptive amount, you must explain to the court why you are deviating from the state guidelines. The judge will only approve it if the reason is valid and the outcome is still fair.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the Worksheet

The official form is called "Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines Worksheet," or JD-FM-6. Let's walk through its main sections. You'll need your sworn financial statement (Form JD-FM-6-SHORT or JD-FM-6-LONG) handy, as most of the numbers come directly from it.

Part I: Basic Information

This is the easy part. You’ll fill in the names of the parties, the court location (judicial district), and the docket number for your case.

Part II: Calculating Net Weekly Income

This is the engine of the worksheet. The goal here is to determine each parent's net weekly income, which is gross income minus allowable deductions.

  • Line 1: Gross Weekly Income: This is all income before taxes. It includes salary, wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, and more. You'll pull this directly from your financial statement.
  • Lines 2-8: Allowable Deductions: The Connecticut child support guidelines only allow specific deductions. These include:
    • Federal, state, and local income taxes
    • Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes
    • Mandatory retirement contributions (not voluntary ones)
    • Health insurance premiums for you and other legal dependents (but not the child in this case)
    • Court-ordered life insurance premiums
    • Court-ordered alimony or child support for people not involved in this case
  • Line 9: Net Weekly Income: This is your gross income minus the total allowable deductions. This is a critical number for the rest of the calculation.

Part III: Calculating the Basic Child Support Obligation

Now that you have each parent's net income, you'll combine them to figure out the basic support amount.

  • Line 10: Combined Net Weekly Income: Add your net weekly income (Line 9) to your co-parent's net weekly income.
  • Line 11: Basic Child Support Obligation: You'll take the combined income from Line 10 and look it up on the "Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations." This is a large grid published by the state that shows the presumptive support amount for a given number of children at each income level.
  • Line 12: Each Parent's Percentage Share: Divide each parent's individual net income by the combined net income to find their percentage contribution. For example, if you earn $1,000 net per week and your co-parent earns $2,000, your combined income is $3,000. Your share is 33.3% and your co-parent's is 66.7%.

Part IV: Adjustments and the Presumptive Support Amount

This section adjusts the basic obligation for two major child-rearing expenses: health insurance and work-related daycare.

  • Lines 13-16: You'll enter the weekly cost of the child's portion of health insurance premiums and any work-related child care costs. These costs are typically shared according to the percentages you calculated on Line 12.
  • Line 17: The Presumptive Support Amount: After all the math, this line shows the final calculated amount of child support. Generally, the non-custodial parent pays this amount to the custodial parent.

Part V & VI: Shared Custody and Final Calculations

  • Shared Physical Custody: This section is often misunderstood. It is only used for specific shared parenting plans where a child spends substantially more time with the non-custodial parent than in a traditional arrangement. The calculation is more complex and is a common reason to seek legal advice.
  • Final Orders: The last part of the worksheet summarizes the total support obligation, including the base amount and contributions for health care and child care.

Important Considerations and Practical Advice

The worksheet is a formula, but the numbers you put into it matter immensely. Here are some practical things to keep in mind.

  • Accuracy is Everything: The worksheet's output is only as reliable as the financial information you provide. Be thorough and honest on your financial statement, as this is the source document for the entire calculation.
  • Defining "Income": Figuring out gross income can be tricky for people who are self-employed, receive commissions, or work inconsistent overtime. The court can look at past earnings history to determine an average. If a parent is found to be voluntarily unemployed or underemployed to avoid paying support, a judge can "impute" income, meaning they will calculate support based on what that parent should be earning.
  • Shared Parenting Plans: The standard worksheet is designed for a traditional custody arrangement where one parent is the primary custodian. If you have a true 50/50 shared parenting plan, applying the standard formula may not be fair. This is a key area where the court might deviate from the guidelines, often using the more complex shared custody calculation in Part V of the worksheet.
  • What the Worksheet Doesn't Cover: The Connecticut child support guidelines are designed to cover essential expenses like housing, food, and clothing. They generally do not include costs for extracurricular activities, private school tuition, or summer camps. These expenses are typically negotiated separately and included in your final divorce agreement. Similarly, college costs are handled under a different statute known as an educational support order (C.G.S. § 46b-56c).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do we have to use the worksheet if we agree on a child support amount?

Yes. Even if you and your co-parent have reached a private agreement, you must still fill out and file the worksheet. The judge needs to see the official calculation from the Connecticut child support guidelines to ensure your agreement is fair to the child and not drastically different from the state's formula without a good reason.

2. What if I think my ex is hiding income?

This is a serious concern. Your financial statement is signed under oath, and intentionally hiding income is perjury. If you suspect this is happening, it's crucial to speak with an attorney. They can use legal tools like depositions and subpoenas (a process called "discovery") to obtain financial records directly from employers, banks, and clients to get an accurate picture of your ex's true income.

3. How often is child support recalculated in Connecticut?

Child support can be modified whenever there is a "substantial change in the circumstances" of either parent (C.G.S. § 46b-86(a)). This could be a significant promotion, a job loss, or a change in the child's needs. The law also specifies that a new support amount that would be at least 15% different from the existing order (based on the current guidelines) is presumed to be a substantial change.

4. Does the worksheet include my new spouse's income?

Generally, no. Your new spouse has no legal obligation to support your children from a previous relationship. Their income is not directly added to the worksheet. However, their financial contributions to your household expenses could indirectly impact your ability to pay support, which might be raised as a factor in an argument to deviate from the guidelines, though this is complex.

5. What happens if we have a 50/50 parenting plan?

A true 50/50 parenting schedule is one of the most common reasons for deviating from the standard worksheet calculation. The court recognizes that in these situations, both parents are covering the child's day-to-day expenses more equally. You would likely use the "Shared Physical Custody" section of the worksheet, which uses a different formula to account for the shared time. It's highly recommended to have an attorney help with this calculation.

6. Where can I find the official Connecticut child support guidelines worksheet?

The Connecticut Judicial Branch provides all official court forms online. You can find the Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines Worksheet (JD-FM-6) and the supporting Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations on their website.

7. Is overtime always included as income on the worksheet?

It depends. If overtime is a regular and consistent part of a parent's compensation, the court will almost certainly include it. If it's sporadic and unpredictable, it may be handled differently, perhaps by looking at a yearly average. This is often a point of negotiation or argument in court.

8. What are "unreimbursed medical expenses"?

These are out-of-pocket health costs not covered by insurance. This includes co-pays for doctor visits, prescription costs, dental bills, orthodontia (braces), and therapy or counseling costs. The worksheet accounts for the first $250 per year per child, and your divorce decree will specify how any costs above that amount are divided between you and your co-parent.

Getting Help: You Don't Have to Do This Alone

The Connecticut child support guidelines and the accompanying worksheet are designed to create a clear and fair process, but they can still be complicated. The numbers you use have long-lasting consequences for you and your children. Getting it right is essential.

Working with an experienced Connecticut family law attorney can make all the difference. An attorney can help you:

  • Ensure your financial statement is accurate and complete.
  • Navigate complex income situations like self-employment or bonuses.
  • Advocate for a fair outcome, especially in shared custody situations.
  • Make a compelling argument for deviating from the guidelines if your situation warrants it.

Mediation is another excellent option where a neutral third party can help you and your co-parent work through the worksheet and reach an agreement you can both live with.

Conclusion

The Connecticut child support guidelines worksheet is more than just a form; it's the state's primary tool for ensuring children receive the financial support they need and deserve from both parents. It provides a structured, formula-based approach that brings predictability to an often-emotional process.

By understanding how the worksheet functions, gathering your financial information accurately, and knowing when to ask for help, you can navigate this part of your divorce with greater clarity and confidence. Remember, the ultimate goal of the guidelines is to put the child's best interests first, a goal that you and your co-parent share.

Disclaimer: Legal Information, Not Legal Advice

This article provides general information about Connecticut divorce law and procedures. It is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Every divorce case is unique, and laws can change. For advice specific to your situation, please consult with a qualified Connecticut family law attorney.

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